Fatigue behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminates

Although there has been growing interest and field applications of poststrengthening concrete structures using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates, very little information exists regarding the flexural fatigue behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with CFRP. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the fatigue behavior of reinforced concrete beams poststrengthened with CFRP laminates. The results of twenty 3 m and six 5 m beams loaded monotonically and cyclically to failure are discussed. Comparisons are made between beams without and with CFRP strengthening. The effect on fatigue life of increasing the amount of CFRP used to strengthen the beams is also examined.